Chicks, Eggs and Easter Bunnies

It quite surprised me to see all the Easter decorations in the shops. Isn't Easter a month away? 

Yet when I perused the accessories section at Awear, pinks and yellows hit me over the head. Now, I love them little chicks as much as the next farmer but aren't they a bit presumptuous? 

Anyway, without any further ado, here they are.

I always love these tiny decorative items you can just drop anywhere for a splash of colour. Those chicks especially can just about cling to anything with their strong, little bendable legs.

Fluffy Easter bags for kiddie paradise. I think they're adorable but what would you use them for?

Because you need to have pictures and posters with chicks all over your house. Evidently.

Chocolate Easter eggs at Thornton's. Yummy. And available in all sizes.

And available in different colours too. 

Yes. We got the message! 

Tea Time

Nothing helps me unwind after a long day at the office quite like a cup of tea.

Sometimes I wonder what magic it possesses. Perhaps it's my not so secret ingredient of honey instead of sugar.

Maybe it's the exotic Lipton flavours I prefer.

Andalucia. Turkish Delight.

Hmm...

Add a biscuit or two or a scone and you have the perfect remedy against life's hardships. 


As a matter of fact, I think I'll put the kettle on. 

What biscuit should I take?

Spring in Dublin

After a long slumber, spring gently awakens with a yawn and the sun, greeting its drowsy sibling, illuminates the Earth with rays of promise.

The wind sweeps across the fields, shaking buds into action; blossom peeks from ancient branches.

The trees, aching from winters past, smile upon the change of seasons.

Plants of hues bright and merry join the springtime dance aplenty.

Pinks and yellows all around even antique finds abound.

Tulips filled with sun delight sparkle happily and bright

Cars are sweating in the sun while birds are playing, oh such fun!  

A How-To Guide to Language Travel

The Plaza Mayor

When most people think of languages, they remember struggling through French lessons at school - strict, creepy German teachers and horrific verbal exams. To be sure, learning a new language can be tricky. In my experience, school is not the best setting for such a task. Usually, only a few hours a week are dedicated to the goal and progress seems impossible.


That's why I decided to try a different approach. I signed up for a Spanish language travel in Salamanca, Spain. For two months, I would live with a host family, attend lessons four hours a week and immerse myself in Spanish culture. I did practise in advance, yes. Equipped with some basic knowledge of language and a shiny blue suitcase full of dresses and dictionaries, I flew to Salamanca where my host family awaited me.

Now, it has to be said that your typical host family does not speak any English. My madre espanola only knew how to say ''yes'', ''no'' and ''I love George Clooney!'' (which she said very enthusiatically). My Spanish ''father'' picked me up and off we went. You can choose many different kinds of accommodation from student flats to studios. It all depends on your budget and needs. I chose a host family so I could practise my language skills with them and so I could enjoy their Spanish cuisine (you pay extra for meals).


What they call ''la comida'' (lunch) was to me a big dinner. I was often told I didn't eat much, along with the question: ''Un poco mas?'' (A little bit more?) I rarely ate much during dinner (a small meal provided after 8). But other things I quickly grew accustomed to. The shops close during the afternoon in Spain. At first, I thought it a pain as I was at school in the morning and had no time to shop then. But after a while I joined the Spaniards in their habit of having an afternoon nap called a siesta. Sometimes I slept for quite a while but at least I was well-rested.


Salamanca is a beautiful, comfy little town with gorgeous architecture, friendly people (shopkeepers were always happy to chat) and a great atmosphere. I spent many afternoons in the Plaza Mayor - a large square with terraces and shops on all sides. True, it was expensive, crowded and a tourist hot-spot but it had a good view and provided entertainment in the form of musicans. My trip took place in August so I enjoyed a great deal of sunshine and learned to appreciate coca cola (they say a glass a day is healthy in summer).

The classes themselves were excellent. The teachers are all experienced native speakers who are used to teaching foreigners and lessons are interactive. Initially, I worried about learning Spanish grammar in Spanish but I found it surprisingly easy. It needs to be said that the teachers speak very clearly and use simple language at the lower levels. This difference is never noticed as much as when you watch Spanish cinema. They speak at airplane speed, omit syllables and they mumble. Thank God for subtitles!

However, the lessons are constructed well and progress is inevitable (unless you only came to party, which some of the youngsters do). Speaking of which, there is a good nightlife in Salamanca. Great tapas restaurants and good clubs. Although we were warned about the local men chasing us, saying: ''Rubia!'' (blonde girl) They never did. I had no bad experiences in my two-month stay.

We also had plenty of activities at school. This includes tours, film viewings, excursions to nearby towns (I went to Madrid for a day), salsa (highly recommended), flamenco, cookery, etc. Depending on the language and location there are sure to be activities to appeal to you. They also have special programme's such as history of art lessons or literature. Lectures on such subjects can also be attended.

My only gripe was with some of my classmates at the school. Beware of the Italians, French and Brazilians/Portuguese people. Because their chosen language is so similar to their own, they already have a good understanding of the language they've come to learn. As a result, they are constantly disrupting class with long stories full of words the others don't understand. Sometimes I just thought to myself: do they EVER shut up? If you think Spanish is so easy, why bother come here and make a nuisance of yourself?


This summer I'm going to try French lessons in Montpellier. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. It'll be a combination of group lessons and private lessons (which should be a sure way to learn).

Fashion Fail: High Heel Horses Hooves

What? Yes, you can now wear horses hooves style shoes.

For a cool 1,300 pounds the shoes are yours (if you want them at all). As for me, I wouldn't wear them if they PAID me money to do so.

The hoof itself is made from carbon fibre and about 5,000 horse hairs. Yuck. Just the thought of wearing shoes made of horse hair makes my own hair stand on end.

The designers are hoping visitors to Cheltenham will hoof up for the races as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. But I doubt anyone will dare strut around in these monstrositous.

It has to be said, though, that it is a good cause. Proceeds of the hooves go to charity.

One of the model was quoted as saying: ''They are really comfortable and almost make you feel like you want to get on the track and gallop down the final furlong. I'm not sure they're for everyone, but I definitely would like a pair of these hooves.''

And there you have it. Horse hooves shoes are the new Uggs. Hideous but comfy. -shudders-

Vintage Housewife Notebooks

I went to the shopping center today to capture all the Easter merchandise on display. Instead, I decided (since the holiday is over a month away) to photograph the quirky housewife notebooks I encountered at Awear.

The shop is famous for its lovely collection of bits and bobs. Not only do they have an impressive amount of school supplies, they are also original and fun. Makes me want to be a schoolgirl again. I always loved that part of the school year (actually, that's all I really liked about school).

Anyway, women are notoriously bad at resisting pretty things.

I'll show you what I mean. Doesn't it spontaneously turn you into a Stepford Wife? It makes me want to bake cookies and lots of them.

To store away all your recipes with their secret ingredients

I love this one - how you can look into the fridge.

For a detailed account of your daily chores

Every decent housewife needs one

Game of Thrones - Fantasy HBO series

Epic alert. This looks very promising. 

Based on the best-selling books by George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire comes a TV-series called Game of Thrones. 

Yep, this should be a feast for the eyes. Starring Sean Bean and Lena Headey (300) it is described as a story about kings, queen, knights and renegades all fighting to obtain the throne in the mythical land of Westeros. It is said to be a gritty fantasy story filled with intrigue and politics and considering it airs on HBO they needn't hold anything back. 

SYNOPSIS:


Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue abound. The primary families are the Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon families. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard Stark to serve as his chief advisor. 

Eddard, suspecting that his predecessor had been murdered, accepts so that he can investigate further. It turns out more than one family is plotting to take the throne. The Queen's family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take control. 

Across the sea, the last surviving members of the previously deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also plotting a return to power. The conflict between these families and others, including the Greyjoys, the Tullys, the Arryns, and the Tyrells, leads to war. Meanwhile, in the north, an ancient evil awakens. Amidst war and the political confusion, a brotherhood of misfits, The Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the horrors beyond.

View the featurette below for lots of information, interviews and footage:




Games of Thrones has 10 episodes for Season 1. The series start airing on April 17th.

Peter Pan and Captain Hook are brothers?

Seriously? Pan and Hook as brothers?

That's the latest rumour about ''Pan'' (which I like better than Peter Pan Begins), in which Channing Tatum is said to be starring as the boy who refuses to grow up.

I'm not sure yet how I feel about it. So Captain Hook's real name is James Pan? Ugh. I just can't see it. No, so far I'm not feeling it. Apparently, they're shopping around the pic and Sony Pictures paid 1 mil for the rights.

Channing Tatum as Peter Pan and Kristen Stewart as Snow White

Okay, so this fairy tale business is taking over Hollywood.

What's up with the Channing Tatum-as-Peter Pan rumour? I certainly don't get a fairy tale vibe from the guy. That might be because he looks more muscle than brain. That and because Peter Pan is supposed to be a little boy?

The film, allegedly called Peter Pan Begins because it's so bad-ass, supposedly explores the origins of the Peter Pan story. I'm still hoping Tatum won't get to play the title role. Maybe he could star as a Lost Boy and actually get lost? Much better.

In other news in fairy land, Kristen Stewart reportedly signed a deal to star as Snow White in the Disney picture Snow White and the Huntsman. Although the actress initially had her rep deny any involvement in the movie, the producer broke the news on his Twitter account as you do. Darn it. But who knows, maybe she'll surprise us. -coughcough- She will star opposite Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and the scrumptious Viggo Mortensen as the hunter.

It also seems that Jack the Giant Killer has found his princess. The lucky girl is called Eleanor Tomlinson, who previously worked her magic in Alice in Wonderland, The Illusionist and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (which I happened to catch last weekend; I found her quite charming). So, it seems that the love affair with Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan is temporarily over (and let us all rejoice). Then again, they would've been a tad old for Nicholas Hoult, our very own Jack.

Fashion Fantastic: Pucci Fall 2011

You regularly see historical influences in modern fashion. That's usually the only kind of high fashion I enjoy. Pucci unveiled their Fall 2011 collection yesterday and I was very pleased to see elegant designs and a combination of old and new. I gathered a few photographs from my favourites.



Black can be classy and sophisticated. Don't go for mini dresses. It's tacky.



Not everyone can pull off brown successfully. But if you can, go for it.




I love this coat. The dress on the right reminds me of Austrian folklore.



A bit gothic with a hint of Victorian glamour.



Two coats with fabulous detail.